100 mph gusts from Beryl took out Mathews Bridge

Temporary platform being used for painting damaged during tropical storm

The Florida Department of Transportation says the wind gusts from Tropical Storm Beryl that damaged temporary structures being used to paint the Mathews Bridge were measured at over 100 mph.

The bridge was the first in the area to close May 27 when winds from Beryl began to pick up that afternoon. When the storm passed, workers discovered some of the sheet-metal platforms that allow workers to paint over moving traffic were twisted and mangled

While only 16 percent of the temporary platforms were damaged, it kept the bridge connecting Arlington with downtown closed for 60 hours.